Train Lovers’ Day

The Virginia Museum of Transportation

to celebrate the “unsung heroes” of rail on

Train Lovers’ Day

The Museum will showcase the restored Norfolk & Western Safety Car 418

along with other little-known – but important – rail equipment

This year Train Lovers’ Day will celebrate the “unsung heroes” of the railroad --- little-known rail equipment that worked alongside the big locomotives, but received none of the glory. The highlight of Train Lovers’ Day will be the debut of the Museum’s restored Norfolk & Western Safety Car 418. The Safety Car houses a 48-seat theater and was used to teach safety lessons to railroad employees and the general public.

“Our beloved Class A 1218 and Class J 611 locomotives get all the attention,” says Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr., executive director of the Virginia Museum of Transportation. “But little-known equipment, like the Safety Car, helped keep the railroad running. By celebrating these unsung heroes, we are shining a spotlight on the equipment and people needed to run a railroad and keep America moving.”

On Train Lovers’ Day, Museum visitors will have the opportunity to tour the Norfolk & Western Safety Car 418 and watch Going Home, a short film produced by Norfolk Southern that documented the Class J-611 locomotive’s triumphant return to Roanoke in 1982. “Going Home is such a wonderful film and shows Roanoke’s love for the Class J-611,” says Fitzpatrick. “Watching Going Home from the comfort of the Safety Car’s theater will be the highlight for many visitors.” Operation Lifesaver public service announcements will also be shown.

Train Lovers’ Day will also feature a vintage rail handcar that visitors can operate and ride. Experienced Museum staff will be on hand to supervise and ensure safety rules are followed. Visitors must be at least 4-feet tall to ride the vintage rail handcar.

The Museum will also showcase other unsung heroes of rail equipment:

· Alco C630 Number 1135

· Celanese Corp. Fireless Cooker

· Boxley Whitcomb Industrial Switcher

· Virginia Central Railroad Porter

Admission for Train Lovers’ Day will be reduced to $5 per person. Museum members and children three and under will be admitted free. Parking in the Brandon lot in front of the Museum will be free for the day.

Back by popular demand, the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society will offer train rides throughout the day. Visitors can catch a ride on a vintage caboose or baggage car. While the train rides are offered free of charge, donations for fuel and upkeep of the equipment will be accepted.

The Museum will sponsor a Craft Station where children can make valentines for their favorite people. Renowned rail artist and the Museum’s artist-in-residence Andy Fletcher will also be showing his work. The Roanoke Valley Model Engineers will display their ON3, HO, and N-scale layouts from 10 pm to 2 pm.

The Taubman Foundation Sustainability Grant makes train Lovers’ Day possible.

About the Norfolk & Western Safety Car 418

Safety cars were used by the railroad to train employees in railroad safety practices. The cars were dropped at company yards for training sessions. The cars also traveled to rail festivals to educate the public.

The N&W Safety Car 418 was manufactured in 1947 and began service as a stainless steel café lounge car on the Boston & Maine and later on the Wabash Railroad, most notably on the “Wabash Cannonball.” Following the merger of the Wabash and N&W, the car became Safety Car 418, complete with an office, bedroom for the safety instructor, bathroom and a 48-seat theatre.

The N&W Safety Car was retired in 1986. The Norfolk Southern Corporation donated the car to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. The restoration of the N&W Safety Car 418 was made possible by donations from the Beirne Carter Foundation and the Helen S. and Charles G. Patterson, Jr. Charitable Foundation Trust.

The N&W Safety Car is not wheel chair accessible.